The fire was reported shortly before midnight at 99 Massachusetts Ave.
SPRINGFIELD – A furnace fire caused some $5,000 in damage late Wednesday night to a duplex in the Upper Hill neighborhood.
Fire Department spokesman Dennis G. Leger said the blaze was reported shortly before midnight at 99 Massachusetts Avenue.
Leger said a first floor resident heard a smoke detector going off and smelled oil. When he went down into the cellar to investigate he saw flames shooting out of the furnace.
The man unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the fire and then roused an upstairs resident. The building sustained heavy smoke damage, Leger said.
The property is owned by Kingsley Spencer, Leger said.